"He's a different creature though and he's going to prove to the world why he's the undisputed champion," stated world-class trainer Juanito Ibarra as he talked about UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who's getting set to makes his debut as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter before he prepares to defend his title against rival coach Forrest Griffin. Check out what else he had to say as he talks more about Jackson and shares his thoughts on Cheick Kongo's recent loss to Heath Herring at UFC 82 as well as Michael Bisping's upcoming debut as a middleweight.

PC: It's been a while since we've talked. How have you been?

JI: Everything is good. I'm just staying busy.

PC: Do you feel like you're spreading yourself too thin sometimes?

JI: I think, to a point, everyone spreads themselves thin a little bit, but I'm really working on finding guys that I can trust and that's difficult  for me and letting them do some things to where I don't have to do so much. I thank God I can take care of my family and I have God. I'm building my team little by little. I'm giving other people responsibilities. That's one of my goals this year is to get my team in place.

PC: Cheick Kongo suffered a loss at UFC 82 to Heath Herring. How do you feel about his performance?

JI: I was happy with his performance. I was happy that he went to the ground and was comfortable enough to handle it. I think he outwrestled Heath, but of course I wanted him to stand up and use his hands more. I think Heath made it difficult for him to do that. Heath told me after the fight, "I thought he was going to stand with me?" How can you stand up when you're rushing a guy like that? I didn't believe that, but I still think Kongo won the fight. He won 80% of the second round, but in the judges' eyes, when you're lying on your back for 2 rounds, I think that really hurt him.

PC: He's shown so much improvement under your tutelage. People look at this guy's physique and think he's a monster. What is Kongo's work ethic like?

JI: To be quite honest, the very first camp I had him…heavyweights are different. A lot of people, they don't really realize how heavyweight training is different from lighter guys. They're bigger, they're slower and you just have to train them differently. He's the kind of guy that, to me, he never knew how to train. He got away with it off of his talent for many years and then he came to a real camp and was like, "Oh, this is way too much for me!" We got him back in the groove and told him why he needed to train certain ways. I know what I'm doing and knowing the wrestling, now he's really taking to that. He caught a very bad cold there in Ohio the day before the fight and I was concerned with his breathing pattern. That really was a concern of mine going into this fight. He couldn't eat for like a day and a half. He couldn't even eat the food out there. That was a concern of mine, but you know what? He fought and I'm very proud of him. He felt that he disappointed me and his family because his mom and all were out there, but by no means did he disappoint me. He impressed me by listening to what we had to tell him and working hard with my coaches on the ground. I really want to give my coaches Zach Light and Ramirez, my wrestling coach, a lot of credit. Jay White was Kongo's chief sparring partner and he is unbelievable in Jiu-Jitsu. I want to thank them kids because they pushed him and Kongo learned by it and I'm very proud of him.

PC: You could definitely see the improvement.

JI: I still think that he will get a title shot. Maybe not as early now, but I think he will earn his way back up there if they allow us to keep fighting. This ain't the last you'll see of Cheick Kongo. Believe me.

PC: What would you like to see Kongo do next?

JI: The UFC is so versatile with all of its fighters and everyone just keeps getting better. For me to say I want him to fight a stand-up guy or give me just a wrestler; it's difficult to say that now. I just hope the UFC don't shelve him. They saw how hard he fought. I don't manage him so it's difficult to get involved, but I'm looking forward to having my voice heard and what I want. I definitely want him back in the Octagon soon. He can take care of some ailments like his knee and his shoulder, which seems to be a chronic problem with him, but I want to see him fight soon. I don't want a long rest. He needs to be in the gym learning. He's moving down to California and making that commitment to me and I'm telling you, he's going to be champion. He's going to be a champion. When? Good question, but he's going to be a champion.

PC: Well, you've always been right with everything else you have told me so I will take your word for it.

JI: (laughing). I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it.

PC: I know you were a big advocate in Michael Bisping moving down to middleweight. You finally got it. How do you think this will benefit Bisping?

JI: I think Bisping is going to benefit because he's not that big of a guy. These guys at 205 are so strong now and big guys. I pray and I hope that it's the right move. I really think it is. We're moving to a tough division, but he's a tough guy and you haven't seen the best Michael Bisping yet. I really feel that you have not seen the best Michael Bisping yet. Hopefully, with the team, my system, everyone pushing him and him willing to listen, I really feel that you're going to see one of the best 185 pound kids in the world. It's a hell of a division, but I think he belongs there.

PC: He will be fighting Charles McCarthy in Canada. How is he looking in preparation?

JI: He was out here in Vegas with me for a little bit; shaking out if you will. He's back at home now, but Rampage told me today, because I hadn't talked to him, I was out in Ohio, but he's coming back out here so hopefully he will. I know he's looking to soon be moving out here to California or somewhere near us. All it comes down to is a matter of getting a full system going. Both of these kids live in other countries and if they believe in our system so much that they want to move down here by it, that makes me feel very honored that they believe in me that much. They believe in my team to put the marbles in the right place and having them be the best. It's not as easy as people think because it takes time. I'm just looking forward to these guys getting closer to me and us putting all of our eggs in a basket so to speak and then making these kids the best that they can be.

PC: How is he adjusting to getting down to 185?

JI: From what I understand, he told me that he has a nutrition guy out there working with him and that he was going to try to adapt to that. When he comes down here, as far as nutrition, I don't allow my fighters to cut weight. It's a matter of eating right, sleeping right and training right. I think it's going to be beneficial to him. I think if he listens, he's going to be strong going into that fight. Unfortunately, I won't be at Michael Bisping's next fight, but I can tell you that the fight after that I would be.

PC: You have 3 top guys training out of the same gym. Do you have to check egos or do they just know that doesn't fly with you?

JI: Egos are not allowed in our gym. I think we show that through example. It's just been a great mix with these 3. They all love each other. Their love and friendship makes it a little easier for us to teach. These guys kick each others ass literally in training and they love each other, respect each other and want to get better. Gods really blessed me with a great mix of kids they have their own independence and their own maturity and I hope that continues.

PC: Do you think Bisping taking that first loss has alleviated a lot of pressure off of him?

JI: No one likes to lose. I told Bisping when we were up in Big Bear, after he told me when he came to my camp how he trains, that he needed to take 2 weeks off. He goes, "Are you crazy?" This kid just loves to train. I said, "Listen, you're going to end up going into this fight overtrained if you don't listen." He told me, "No coach, I'll be okay." He told me afterwards that not listening to me was one of the worst mistakes he's ever made. You live and learn. That loss, I think he really realized the whole ball of wax, not that he's a bad fighter or that he got his ass whooped, but he needs to listen to his body and people that know.

PC: Rampage seems to be slated for UFC 86 in Vegas against Forrest. Did you like the whole idea of him being a coach on the show before defending his title again?

JI: I'd rather had seen Rampage fight again and then maybe did the show or whatever. This layoff is too long for me and too long for him. I like to keep my kid in the mix. I'm a guy that likes to take a rest, but there's only so much time you can rest. He's a different creature though and he's going to prove to the world why he's the undisputed champion. I'm telling you. I'm telling you, mark my words with the date and time, Forrest is in a lot of trouble.

PC: Really. You seem very confident.

JI: I'm telling you. I respect Forrest, his game, how he's grown as a fighter and how humble he is. I love the kid, but I'm telling you one thing right now, he's in a lot of trouble.

PC: I believe you. I told you Juanito, whatever you say from here on out, I'm going with it.

JI: (laughing) Don't put that on me man.

PC: Thanks for your time Juanito. I always look forward to speaking to you. Is there anything you want to say in closing?

JI: Everybody out there, believe in God.